It's been 20 years that my grandfather passed away. People say he was crazy...but how do they know for sure? They didn't know much of him as more than I have... He was the famous Puppet Master of Europe...Andre Toulon.
My name is Jules Toulon and this is my story.
It all happened on October 25, 1959. I live in a apartment almost out of New York City with my son Michael. He is only a year and a half. I recently graduated from college of Arts. I make Puppets just like my grandfather... but my puppets are a lot different by appearance. I make dark puppets. Like, for collectibles only. Their appearance I use on my puppets are more kinda goth looking. but its kind of silly unless you see it from a different angle. Some of my memories I spent with my grandfather is when I spent the summer with him. He was sometimes secretive of me playing with his puppets.
"Never take them outside," He will say to me every time I will play with the puppets.
I only remember some of his puppets... Blade, Pin head, and Jester and Six- Shooter. Blade was my favorite, I was always inspired by his clothing and appearance. I remember sometimes it was hard for me to catch him when we would play chase. Jester always made me laugh when he would switch his face. Pin head...oh man, I remember how me and him would pretend to do punch matching games. The good days. Even with Grandpa I would sometimes spent a lot of time with him, watching making new puppets.
He would tell me that they are special and never to be found. I never knew the Nazis wanted the magic so bad...I remember I swore to my life I will never tell the secret and I still hold that secret...but I wish that day never came.
It was 9pm on a Saturday Night. It was almost winter. I was only 21 years old. I was coming home from work. Michael was home with his Aunt Andrea. She watches Michael only on the weekends, I work on the night shifts on the weekends. on weekdays, Michael had school. But my job is part time, working for 4 days a week. Once I pulled in the driveway, i turned off the engine and got out. I approached the door and since my hands were full of paperwork, i knocked with my foot.
KNOCK KNOCK!
Andrea came to the door and opened it.
"Hey sis...whoa! you need a hand with that?" Andrea asked.
I shocked my head and said, "No, I got it."
Once putting all the paperwork on my counter, I went to my black chair and sat down. I sighed.
"I'm exhausted.." I looked around and asked Andrea, "Where's Michael?"
She replied while getting her Jacket, "He went to bed early. He was very tired when we got back from shopping."
my Sister got her purse, I went to the door to open it for her.
"Thanks again for looking after Michael," I said.
Andrea smiled, "No problem and you got a letter from someone. I put it in your room."
"Thanks sis. drop by anytime. I'm off tomorrow and I want to spent some time with Michael. Since this week its been like Hell."
Andrea nodded, "Ok. I'll see you later. Give me a call in the morning."
"I will." I said.
Andrea left and I closed the door behind her and locked it.
I stood by the couch for a minute. Thinking if to work on my puppets or go to bed. I went to Michael's room and opened the door quietly. Seeing him in his little crib, sleeping peacefully. i approached the crib silently and smiled at him. i kissed my hand and placed on his forehead.
"Sweet dreams, my little guy." I said softly.
As I left the room. I closed the door and went to the spare room. The spare room is where all my puppets are at. As I entered, I looked around. Some of the puppets that are finished hang on the wall. My grandfather used to the same thing at his old home.
"Hey guys! I'm home."
But don't get confused...my puppets aren't alive just like my grandfather's. I never learned the magic. I grabbed my little Annabelle Puppet. Her long black Victorian dress needed to be finished on the sleeves. But I was very tired from work.
"I better go check on that letter." I said as I left the room before Annabelle back on the shelf.
I went straight to my room and opened the door. The letter was right on my dresser. As I grabbed it, it said from Andre Toulon.
"Oh...It's from Grandpa." I said with a bit excitement in my voice.
As I gently opened it. I sat on my bed and began to read.
"My Dearest Jules,
How have you been? I'm sorry that I have not contacted you much. I have been working on new projects with the Puppets. I have heard you been making Puppets yourself. I must say I am very proud of you. I was planning on seeing you on your birthday, but something caught up. I understand that I know I haven't seen you in 5 years but I have decided that I want you to come for a visit back in California. If you cannot make it, I understand. If you do accept the invitation, please bring some of your puppets. Oh and I have received your last letter just two days ago...I must say Michael is beautiful. He looks just like you. I remember how adorable you were at that age. And for so, the location of meeting up will not be at the old home since I had to sell it for better purpose of living elsewhere. If you remember the old Bodega Bay Inn I am going to meet you there. Be there on Monday morning. Sincerely, Grandpa Andre.
P.S...Bring Michael along."
I sighed, "Monday? Oh man...maybe I can get a week off. Better call my boss now...wait! what am I gonna tell her?"
I thought for a moment and it hit me!
I reached for the phone by my lamp. It started to dial.
A lady answered, "Hello, This is Sakura speaking, how may I help you?"
I stood up, not trying to get excited, "Hi, Miss Sakura. It's me, Jules Toulon. Can you spare a moment?"
Miss Sakura replied, "Sure, Jules. How are you?"
"I'm fine. I just calling you to ask if I can have a week off. I just got a letter from my Grandfather from California and he wants me to visit him."
a short silence...I got nervous...Please woman don't say it!
"But Jules we are very busy this coming week, can you schedule it next time?" Miss Sakura asked.
DAMN U...!
"Well Miss Sakura, I cant. He's...in the hospital on his death bed...and I'm the only relative he has left."
I know lying is bad...trust me I really want to see my Grandfather. I'M NOT DODGING THIS OPPORTUNITY!
Miss Sakura gasped, "Ooh...Jules. I'm so very sorry. I didn't know...well...Ok but you need to be back next Tuesday."
"You got it, Ma'am. Thank you very much see ya next week." I said with a grin on my face.
"Miss Sakura replied, "bye bye."
I hung up and put the phone down.
I wasn't lying about "the only relative" part. At least my boss doesn't know I have a son. She ain't so much of a fan to kids.
My parents died from a car accident when I was 19. My grandmother was murdered a long time ago before I wasn't even born. My grandfather was lucky enough to raised his first son once he escaped from Germany. My dad and grandfather were not on speaking terms but my mom she understood that she wanted me to have a chance to be with my grandfather. Her and my grandfather got along greatly but my dad didn't like it...he was almost gonna get a divorce for my mom. He didn't understand about the puppet thing. My grandfather never told my parents about them...but somehow one time he told me that he saw something great inside me. A gift. I'm the only one he taught me about the puppets and the secret. Andrea, me and her are not related but we are great friends since high school. She's more than a best friend to me...a little sister. I don't have any other siblings I'm the only child of my family. But its always ok with me. Michael, he never met his great grandfather but I do sent him like some art stuff Michael makes from school. Michael is very good at drawing so great at his age and I always sent him pictures of me and Michael like once or 3 times a month. I'm hoping one day I can tell Michael the secret of his great grandfathers work.
I got on my computer and booked me a ticket to the next flight to California. Which leaves tomorrow morning.
"I better call Andrea first."
I grabbed my phone again and dialed her number. It dialed for 10 seconds and I heard a click.
"Hello?" Andrea asked.
"Hey sis. Its Jules."
Andrea yawned.
UHOH...I must've woken her up.
"Jules, its late." Andrea said.
"I know, sorry. Listen remember that letter? well, its from my grandfather and he invited me and Michael to go and see him on Monday. I'm only going to be there for a week. I just thought I should tell you. Because we're leaving in the morning."
"Oh Ok. Well, I'll let you go so you can do your packing...wait don't you have to work on Monday?" She Asked.
I chuckled, "I got a week Off, I don't have to be back until next Tuesday."
Andrea smiled, "Man, your lucky! Ok sis. Have fun and send a Postcard. When will you be back?"
I replied, "I'll be back on Monday and don't worry I will."
Andrea said, "I love you sis. Be safe."
I said, "I love you too. BYE!"
Andrea said, "BYE!"
I hung up the phone and started to packing.
*I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter of my new Story of The Puppet Masters. Chapter 2 will be up soon* CYA!